A Cut Above the Rest: Walking Tour & Cream Tea
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Victorian Birmingham didn't become known as the "Workshop of the World" by accident. The city was shaped by thousands of skilled workers, busy workshops and a network of canals that connected Birmingham's makers and manufacturers with the wider world.
On this guided Birmingham heritage walking tour, you'll uncover the stories of the people, places and industries that helped build the city – travelling from the historic Roundhouse, along Birmingham's canals and into the heart of the Jewellery Quarter.
Your journey begins at The Roundhouse – a striking crescent-shaped Victorian depot built to keep Birmingham moving. Once filled with horses, carts and engineers, it played a vital role in transferring goods between canal, rail and road. Although the Visitor Centre is closed, the tour of the Roundhouse live on thanks to reformer Roundhouse Volunteers, passionate about sharing its remarkable history.
From there, follow the canal towpaths on a guided walk through Birmingham’s industrial landscape. Often said to have more miles of canal than Venice, these waterways fuelled the city’s growth, carrying raw materials, finished goods and opportunity into the heart of Britain’s manufacturing powerhouse.
Your experience concludes at the Coffin Works, where you’ll step inside one of Birmingham’s best-preserved Victorian factories. Explore the atmospheric Stamp Room and discover the machinery and people behind the city’s world-famous metalworking industries.
Ending the afternoon with a traditional cream tea served in our Casting Café!
What's included?
40-minute guided tour of The Roundhouse
40-minute guided walk along Birmingham's historic canals
40-minute guided tour of the Coffin Works' Stamp Room
Traditional cream tea in the Casting Café
Headset to help you hear your guide throughout the tour
Meet your guide outside The Roundhouse, 1 Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, B16 8AE, shortly before 1pm.
The guided portion of the experience finishes at approximately 3pm, followed by cream tea in the Coffin Works Café.
Who is this experience for?
This Birmingham walking tour is perfect for history lovers, industrial heritage enthusiasts, visitors exploring Birmingham and lifelong Brummies who want to discover a different side of their city.
| Adult | £20 |
How to get there
Facilities
- Baby changing
- Experience takes place outdoors
- Refreshments available
- Toilets
- Wheelchair accessible
On the day
Meet your guide outside The Roundhouse (by the gates) shortly before 1pm. The address is 1 Sheepcote St, Birmingham B16 8AE and the what 3 words location is https://w3w.co/buck.shared.wanted
Tours run in all but the most severe weather conditions. If we do need to cancel, we'll contact you to rearrange your booking as soon as possible.
This is a walking tour, and some surfaces may be uneven or slippery. Please wear comfortable, sturdy footwear and dress appropriately for the weather.
Changes happen, don't worry
You'll be hosted by
The Coffin Works
In its time, the Coffin Works was a Victorian Jewellery Quarter factory and produced some of the world’s finest coffin furniture, including those for many royals. Now a museum, the workbenches are still full of all the original stock and tools of the trade, and with some of the original machinery working again, you can truly experience the sights, sounds and stories of this hidden gem.
Any questions?
Ask your question directly to The Coffin Works.